Diplomacy and Dialogue: Building Careers Through Conversation

Ervisa Pana

Recently, I was able to attend and help with the Diplomacy and Dialogue: Building Careers Through Conversation event as an ALSA volunteer, organised by ALSA UK’s Heidi Mustafa and UCL AlbSoc. It was the first event I attended and volunteered to help with, and I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy and find the speaker’s thoughts and insights extremely interesting, although it was not necessarily linked to my pursued career.

The event began with an introduction to the three speakers and the moderator, Heidi, followed by the speakers’ descriptions of their day in their respective roles. Dr Rudina Jasini, who is an academic and lawyer, highlighted the differences between her two roles. While being an academic, she said it "allows you to be a master of your own time", being a lawyer means you must think on your feet, and your day can often lack structure – no one day is the same. She went on to add that in "being a lawyer, you get used to working under pressure...your mind is bigger than you think".

Dr Flamur Krasniqi went on to highlight the importance of distinguishing the difference between the impact of your achievements and what those achievements do for you. He stressed that it is important to focus more on the difference your achievements make on other people rather than what it does for yourself. Dr Rudina Jasini also reflected on her research journey, particularly in Cambodia, where her work on victims of mass atrocities showed her the importance of her work. She spoke about how witnessing the suffering of others can profoundly affect you, often creating a thread that leads you to unexpected but purposeful places. She emphasised that it’s not simply luck that determines where you end up, but rather the way opportunities arise and call to you—almost like a sign that this path is meant for you.

When the speakers were asked to share rewarding moments in their careers, each gave a powerful and personal example. Reg Pula recounted his internship at a human rights organisation in Geneva, where the Deputy Director offered him the chance to speak to the Human Rights Council. At just 21 years old, he spoke publicly about human rights violations in Ethiopia—a moment that not only marked a significant milestone but was also recorded and posted on YouTube. Dr Jasini shared that one of her most fulfilling experiences was defending her PhD at Oxford, where she was the first candidate in her department to pass without any corrections. Her work had captured complex concepts with such clarity that it stood out as exceptional. Later, she was invited by the United Nations to present her research on victims in New York, a moment of profound recognition where she realised the gravity and the importance of her work and the impact it has on others. For Dr Krasniqi, completing his PhD brought a different kind of reward—it wasn’t about external validation, but about overcoming self-doubt. That process, he noted, gave him the internal validation of his capabilities and belief in himself.

In terms of advice for those pursuing similar paths, the speakers were sincere and direct. Dr Krasniqi advised that if you truly want to do something, you must be committed to maintaining that same level of motivation from start to finish. He underlined that the journey is no longer just about personal ambition; it becomes a voice for others. It is crucial, he said, to ‘’do it for the right reasons’’. Dr Jasini echoed this by saying that knowing what motivates you is essential—passion and enthusiasm are not optional, they are necessary. She reiterated that the real validation comes from the impact your work has on others, not personal success. Reg concluded by encouraging everyone to be brave and unapologetically pursue their passions, regardless of the opinions of others.

Dr Krasniqi left the audience with a powerful closing thought: if you want to change something, start by changing it from within. He acknowledged that such change doesn’t come easily and noted that, inevitably, the process of striving for change will change you as well.

The event ended with a networking session where everyone had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and, of course, speak directly with the speakers. The atmosphere was lively, with conversations flowing easily as attendees shared their career aspirations and gained insights from one another. There was a genuine eagerness to build new connections, and the room buzzed with energy and curiosity. It was a valuable chance, not only to ask follow-up questions, but also to gain advice and insight. The networking session rounded off the event on a positive note.

The speakers left everyone, me included, very inspired and motivated to pursue our goals and dreams. Not only did they give exceptional advice, but their experiences and the stories they shared allowed the audience to connect with them, making the event a true success. I am happy to have attended the event and look forward to helping out with many future ones to come. Thank you to Heidi and Denisa for organising the event and all the ALSA UK volunteers, as well as all our members who attended.